[doganjo]

Does anyone know where I can get chick crumbs in the Stirling area - I know David at Tilly may have them, but if he doesn't is there anywhere else?

[northfifeduckling]

sorry, can't help you there, Annie (would know Fife)
but I take it CONGRATULATIONS are in order?? How many??

[doganjo]

Kerstin, there are three - born on Monday last week.  all 6 hatched but one that was cracked late on Monday night was dead next morning when I got up - no idea what happened there s there was hole the size of a half crown and the beak was out, another had a gammy leg and I just found it dead one morning, a third obviously had come out too soon and was still attached to it's yolk sac.  There is a ginormous yellow one, and two black/brown ones a bit smaller.  I got chick crumbs at McCaskies but tehy only had a 5kg bag and at the rate these are going trhough food it won't last very long.  Anybody know what to put them on next and at what age?

[jinglejoys]

If I remember right they are better going on to duck crumbs...something to do with the protein levels!

[northfifeduckling]

How lovely - how did you get the funny mix? Same here with the chicks: 3 mums, all looking fairly the same, same dad, 3 chicks in different colours (white, light brown and black!).
Member SuppliesforSmallhoilders should be able to help you out if you pm them, they mightnot have seen your news yet 

[egglady]

annie,i got some at caledonia market (i think that's what it's called - its near the thistle centre?).  25k bag for about a tenner if i remember rightly

[daddymatty82]

remember some chick crumb has certain things in that will kill ducks. i think its the cocci additive they put in some brands so make sure you get some that is ok for ducks.

[doganjo]

remember some chick crumb has certain things in that will kill ducks. i think its the cocci additive they put in some brands so make sure you get some that is ok for ducks.

OK now you've got me worried!
It's Dodson & Horrell non GM poultry starter crumbs - oil 3.3%, fibre 3.3%, Lysine 1% (what's that?), Protein 19%, ash 5.1%, methiomine 0.4%(what's that?)  No mention of cocci anyhting in the ingredients - wheat, soya, barley, vegetable fat, vitamins, phyzyme (what's that?)

Help - I'm an accountant not a flipping scientist!

[northfifeduckling]

poultry does usually mean all - if in doubt give them a call or email!

[doganjo]

I've scoured this bag and can find nothing else on it it says it is non GM, vegetarian formula and traceable raw materials. 

Methiomine is an amino acid, same for Lysine and Phyzyme is an enzyme that helps them absorb amino acids

Surely it must be OK. 

[northfifeduckling]

blurb from their website
>>High quality complete feed is designed to encourage birds to take food and is suitable for all classes of poultry and duck. To be fed up to 6-8 weeks of age depending on the type of bird. Starter Crumbs contain an organic acidifier to help prevent infection and disease and can be fed with herbal tinctures for an all natural approach to managing the bird through periods of stress.<<
your ducklings are safe :&

[doganjo]

Thanks, Kerstin - now for a person who googles everything why didn't I think of that!!!!!!

[doganjo]

Will be trying them in the bath this evening when a friend comes over to tea - will get better photos of them than in their brooder box.  And don't worry, I WILL use warm water and I WILL dry them off properly before they go back in there, don't want them catching cold or getting arthritis in their dotage, do we?

[northfifeduckling]

 

[doganjo]

OK, the smell cannot be tolerated any more so this weekend they have to go outside!  I have a shed, I have a heatlamp, I have an extension cable, there is a tarp on the shed floor, I have a big flat metal dish for their food and a plastic blow up baby pool for their water, I have puppy pen panels to keep them in one area of the shed  4 foot by four foot, the shed has double doors I can open up during the day once the dogs have been out. At the moment they are having fun in the bath as it is easily cleaned and their box is absolutely minging, but they have to go back in there at night and I have to keep the bathroom door securely shut - caveat pussycat. Anything else?